99 Stats Until Kickoff (#66) Atlanta Falcons reach playoffs three consecutive years for first time in franchise history
From May 30 and every day until September 5… the start of the 2013 NFL season… Sports Stats ‘on Tapp’ will publish “99 Stats Until Kickoff” a daily dose of NFL stats that will get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.)
For the first time in franchise history the Atlanta Falcons made the playoffs in three straight seasons (2010, 2011, 2012). Going into the 2012 season, there were six franchises that had never made the playoffs in three straight seasons (more on that in a minute).
This past season’s 12 playoff teams consisted of eight teams that played in the playoffs in 2011 and four that did not.
Here’s a look at this year’s 12 playoff teams, their recent playoff appearance history and the last time they made the NFL playoffs in three straight years.
2012 playoff repeaters
Baltimore: Their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The longest current streak.
Green Bay: Their fourth straight playoff appearance.
New England: Fourth straight playoff appearance.
Atlanta: First time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons.
Cincinnati: Second consecutive playoff appearance. They have never made the playoffs in three straight years. Could 2013 be the first time?
Denver: Second consecutive playoff appearance. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 2003-05.
Houston: Second straight year in playoffs. They have never made the playoffs in three straight years. Will it happen in 2013?
San Francisco: Second straight year in the playoffs. Last time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 1996-98.
2012 playoff teams that did not make playoffs in 2011
Indianapolis: Their first playoff since after the 2010 season. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 2008-10.
Minnesota: First playoff appearance since 2009. They have not made the playoffs in three straight years since 1998-2000.
Seattle: First playoff appearance since 2010. Last time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 2005-07.
Washington: First playoff appearance since 2007. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 1990-92.
As mentioned above, there are now five franchises which have never made the NFL playoffs in three consecutive years. Those franchises are: Arizona, Carolina, Cincinnati, Houston and the New York Jets.
Here’s a look at the remaining 17 franchises and the last time each of them made the NFL playoffs in three consecutive seasons (starting with the team that has had the longest wait):
Team, last time they made playoffs in three straight years
Chicago: 1986-88
Cleveland: 1987-89
Buffalo: 1991-93
Tennessee: 1991-93
Detroit: 1993-95
Kansas City: 1993-95
Dallas: 1994-96
Pittsburgh: 1995-97
Jacksonville: 1997-99
Miami: 1999-2001
St. Louis: 1999-2001
Oakland: 2000-02
Tampa Bay: 2000-02
San Diego: 2007-09
Philadelphia: 2008-10
New Orleans: 2009-11
N.Y. Giants: 2009-11
“99 Stats Before Kickoff” (Stats you need to know before the start of the 2013 NFL season) is available from e-book publisher Smashwords. Go to www.smashwords.com to download a copy, including a pdf version which can be viewed on your home computer. Cost is $2.99.